The Mycenaeans c.1650-1100 BC (Elite) [Paperback]

Nicolas Grguric (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Elite | Publication Date: September 10, 2005

Osprey's study of Mycenaean warriors, from 1650 to 1100 BC. The timeless appeal of Homer's epic poem of the ancient Trojan War, The Iliad, has meant an eduring interest in the Mycenaean age. Modern scholarship and new archaeological evidence now allows us to recontruct with reasonable confidence the appearance of this great warrior civilization, which dominated much of the eastern Mediterranean between the 16th and 12th centuries BC. We can also make deductions, from the few surviving pictorial sources, about the tactics of these armies. This absorbing text is illustrated with examples of the archaeological and pictorial evidence, and with striking colour reconstructions of light and heavy infantry and chariot warriors of the Mycenaean age.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Nicolas Grguric is an Australian graduate archaeologist who wrote his Honours thesis on the Mycenaean army. At the time of writing he is writing a Doctorate thesis on civilian use of defensive architecture in frontier Australia. His other interests include wargaming, living history and collecting black powder firearms. He lives in South Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (September 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841768979
• ISBN-13: 978-1841768977
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #968,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the comments on illustrations would lead you to believe., January 31, 2006

By 

Red Harvest (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mycenaeans c.1650-1100 BC (Elite) (Paperback)

There is more to this book than the illustrations and I hope that most readers also have a substantial interest in the text. The text is very readable and sufficiently detailed (considering the Osprey format) to satisfy the interest of most wargamers and military history enthusiasts.

I nearly didn't buy this work due to the other reviews of the art. Fortunately, I gambled on this one. While I agree that the illustrations are somewhat *different* stylistically than Angus McBride's normal work, I've also noticed quite a bit of variation in his style in other works. If one wants a lot of color and sharp delineation and detail, then this will not be one of your favorites. On the other hand, if you are weary of boyish faces and stocky statures of the characters in some other McBride works then you might appreciate the change of pace in these plates. Regardless of the artistic impression, the plates serve well their functional purpose of illustrating the Mycenaean soldiers in action.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A detailed and informative discussion., March 18, 2006

By 

Mrs. Cheryl A. Bullock "Fernwoods" (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mycenaeans c.1650-1100 BC (Elite) (Paperback)

I have had a great interest in the Mycenaean Age for some time.
Where this book is of value is that it painstakingly pieces together from limited pieces of disparate complicated evidence a reasonable picture (as far as can be ascertained) of Mycenaean warriers, weapons and armies. I have not seen this in any other work.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Imperfect but useful., December 2, 2005

By 

Charles Gadda (People's Democratic Republic of Kalifornia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mycenaeans c.1650-1100 BC (Elite) (Paperback)

I have to echo many of the same complaints noted in the previous review. The quality of the colour plates was lackluster - a definate step down in terms of Angus McBride's usual work. I was also disappointed with some (though not all) of the B/W photos, in particular those that were scanned from previously published references. This book would have been much more valuable had new photos been taken, preferably from different angles.

The text, on the other hand, contained an awful lot of information and insights into Mycenaean warfare that were wholly new to me; in this respect I rate the book quite highly. This is especially important in light of how little information exists on this subject.

Overall, I am glad I bought the book, but still find the graphics were a big letdown. If you are interested in this subject, by all means get this book. The information contained herein is very useful indeed. Through Amazon the price is good, as well. Just be prepared for some disappointment.